2.0 Analysis 2.1 Introduction There was no evidence found of any engine or airframe failure, or system malfunction prior to or during the flight. The engine rpm, flaps position, and prop damage are all consistent with the aircraft being in cruise configuration and the engine developing power at impact. The vertical, nose-down attitude of the aircraft at impact is consistent with control having been lost and the aircraft having stalled during flight in cloud. 2.2 Flight into Unsuitable Weather Conditions During his briefing prior to taking off from Abbotsford, the pilot had been made aware of the prevailing low ceiling and visibility, and had been told that an earlier VFR flight had to detour around the Hope Slide because of poor weather conditions. The fact that the pilot continued the flight to the township of Hope, thereby passing the entry point for the Ross Lake detour, suggests that he may have rejected the detour as an option. The weather at Hope had deteriorated between 1100 PDT, the time of the weather observation that the pilot received during his briefing, and 1200 PDT. The ceiling conditions of 1,800 broken observed at 1200 PDT were lower than the altitude of the Hope Slide (2,432 feet asl). The pilot was certified for day VFR flight only. Although the weather was suitable for the VFR flight to Hope, the conditions were unsuitable for the proposed VFR flight through the Hope Slide pass. Nonetheless, the pilot attempted to continue visual flight into the instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) that prevailed through the pass. When the pilot began to encounter the low clouds, the valley was too narrow to permit the aircraft to reverse its course. After the aircraft entered the clouds, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the aircraft, which stalled and crashed to the ground. 3.0 Conclusions 3.1 Findings The pilot was certified and qualified for the proposed day VFR flight in accordance with existing regulations. There was no evidence found of any engine or airframe failure or system malfunction prior to or during the flight. The weather conditions were not suitable for the proposed VFR flight through the Hope Slide pass. After the aircraft entered the clouds, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the aircraft, which stalled and crashed to the ground. 3.2 Causes The pilot attempted to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. The weather conditions were unsuitable for the proposed VFR flight through the Hope Slide pass. After the aircraft entered the clouds, the pilot likely lost control. The aircraft stalled and crashed to the ground. 4.0 Safety Action 4.1 Action Taken An Aviation Notice concerning flight operations in mountainous areas was distributed to pilots in the Pacific Region. It is intended that the next issue of the Hope-Princeton and Hope-Lytton 1:500,000 VFR charts (to be available 1 April 1995) will contain a caution box which will state: ROUTE SUBJECT TO RAPID WEATHER CHANGES - ALTITUDE SHOULD PERMIT COURSE REVERSAL - MINIMUM RECOMMENDED ALTITUDE 5,500 FEET ASL.